South Africa's Luyanda Mthembu is set to compete in the Miss Charm finals in Vietnam on September 26. Her journey to the international stage was inspired by her personal story of overcoming bullying, low self-esteem, and a medical accident that changed her perception of herself. Mthembu's advocacy focuses on equipping, uplifting, and protecting young minds, supporting future leaders, and creating spaces where young people can develop without feeling excluded or inadequate.
Mthembu entered Miss Charm to gain an international platform to share her story, work, and values. She believes that pageantry is underrated in South Africa, but it has the power to open doors, change lives, impact communities, and create opportunities worldwide. Representing South Africa carries particular significance for Mthembu, as she is the first person in her bloodline and community to have the opportunity to pursue an opportunity of this scale abroad.
Mthembu's advocacy work has already begun, with workshops, events, clothing drives, and initiatives aimed at creating spaces where young people can learn, ask questions, and develop in an environment of trust and support. Her goal is to create conversations and spaces that continue beyond the pageant, encouraging young people to see what is possible for themselves and feel comfortable enough to grow and apply themselves.
The journey to the Miss Charm finals has been challenging for Mthembu, testing her resilience and changing her understanding of what it means to represent her community. She describes the past year as character-refining, teaching her to see things through, be resilient, and keep going even when things don't go according to plan. Mthembu is not only looking at the competition itself but also at everything the journey has taught her and the person it has helped her become.
Mthembu's personal story is one of transformation, from being a timid person who struggled with self-esteem and perceived her appearance in a certain way, to standing on an international stage and allowing herself to dream big. Reaching this stage has forced her to reconsider the limits she once placed on herself. Winning the competition would be a reminder to her younger self that no matter how big or far away a dream feels, it is possible when one sets their mind to it.
Should Mthembu win, she plans to use the increased visibility to expand her advocacy, reach more young people, and build networks that could strengthen the work she is already doing. Her goal is to create spaces where young people feel seen, supported, and reminded that they are not inadequate, unequipped, unqualified, or disqualified from becoming who they are meant to be. Mthembu is a product of someone believing in her, and she wants to do the same for others.
Mthembu's participation in Miss Charm also aims to challenge perceptions of pageantry and its potential to create opportunities for women and communities. She wants to highlight the essence of pageantry in South Africa and show that women are taking up space, showing up fully, with purpose, intention, and a desire to make an impact. Her story may inspire younger versions of other people who may look at her and think they cannot do something, to understand that what they have experienced does not have to determine what is possible for them.
Key points
- Luyanda Mthembu is using the Miss Charm platform to champion young people and encourage them to recognise their worth and potential despite challenges.
